State House News Service-Briefs from the State House

Saturday

Dec 30, 2017 at 8:00 AMDec 30, 2017 at 8:41 AM

AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE DISCOUNTS (H 4081) - The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker legislation waiving, for two years, a law that requires businesses and groups to have a 35 percent participation rate in order to qualify for group auto and home insurance discount rates. The measure permits groups with less than the 35 percent participation to take advantage of group rates, which save members between 5 percent and 8 percent. The law, has been waived every two years since 1997. The 35 percent requirement was first included in a 1973 law.

Supporters said if the bill is not approved, insurance discounts for 322,000 vehicles and 142,000 homes in the Bay State would disappear on January 1, 2018 and consumers will pay millions of dollars more for insurance.

RAISE ALCOHOL TAXES AND FINES - State Treasurer Deb Goldberg’s Alcohol Task Force that she formed in February issued its report with 37 recommendations, including raising the excise tax on beer, wine and liquor; increasing the fines for violations of laws relating to alcohol; spending an additional $3.1 million per year for hiring 30 new investigators and 15 staff members for the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC); and making some operational changes to the ABCC.

The task force noted that the ways to purchase alcohol, including online, are changing with technology. "Buying habits of younger generations are evolving, and the market itself is changing as evidenced by increasing numbers of craft and farmer breweries, wineries, and distilleries in Massachusetts and across the country," the task force reported.

Other changes recommended by the commission include increasing the maximum alcohol content for cider from 6 percent to 8.5 percent; allowing bars to accept out-of-state photo IDs; and eliminating the limit on the number of alcohol licenses grocery store chains can hold.

DECAL FOR DRIVERS ON LEARNER’S PERMIT (H 2761) - The House Ways and Means Committee has recommended passage of a bill that would require two copies of a highly-reflective decal or other symbol to be clearly visible to law enforcement officers on the window of any vehicle being operated by a driver with a learner’s permit or a junior operator’s license. The size, fee and other details would be determined by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. A violation of the requirement would result in a fine up to $50.

Supporters say this would warn other motorists that the driver is inexperienced and encourage them to take extra caution. They say the requirement would likely reduce the frustration of other motorists, reduce unnecessary honking, prevent injuries and maybe even save lives.

Some opponents say the bill is a solution in search of a problem that doesn’t exist. They note that families with more than one car would have to get two decals for each car and note that if a permanent decal is used, experienced drivers would often be driving the car with the decal and be mistaken for a novice behind the wheel. They argue that some motorists might pass student drivers illegally on a double yellow line to avoid being stuck behind someone learning to drive.

MUSICIAN LAUREATE (S 2225) - The agenda for the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development’s hearing at the Statehouse in Room A-2 at 10 a.m. on January 10 includes creating the new position of the State Musician Laureate. The laureate, appointed by the governor biennially, would write and/or perform music to commemorate important events, such as ceremonial occasions, celebrations and state anniversaries; act as the governor’s adviser in musical matters; and represent the state’s musical legacy.

"I am always impressed by the artistic and musical talent that is displayed by the commonwealth’s residents," said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) who sponsored the bill on behalf of Hull resident Cinzi Lavin. "This position would allow us to recognize excellence in musical talent while continuing Massachusetts’ commitment to promoting the arts."

POSSIBLE 2018 BALLOT QUESTIONS CONFIRMED - Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office announced that sponsors of seven ballot questions have met the signature and all other requirements to take the next step to get on the 2018 ballot. These proposals now go to the Legislature and, if not approved by May 2, 2018, proponents must gather another 10,792 signatures by July 4, 2018, in order for the question to appear on the November 2018 ballot.

The seven questions include:

HIKE MINIMUM WAGE - Increases the minimum hourly wage from $11 per hour to $12 in 2019, $13 in 2020, $14 in 2021 and $15 in 2022.

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE - Creates a program to provide paid family and medical leave to Massachusetts workers

REDUCE SALES TAX TO 5 PERCENT AND ESTABLISH SALES TAX HOLIDAY - Reduces the state’s sale tax from 6.25 percent to 5 percent and, at the same time, establishes an annual two-day permanent sales tax holiday in August that allows consumers to buy most products that cost under $2,500 without paying the state tax.

LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS PER NURSE - Limits how many patients can be assigned to each registered nurse in Massachusetts hospitals and certain other healthcare facilities. The maximum number of patients per registered nurse would vary by type of unit and level of care.

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS - Creates a citizens’ commission to consider and recommend potential amendments to the U.S. Constitution to establish that corporations do not have the same constitutional rights as human beings and that corporations’ campaign contributions and expenditures may be regulated. The proposal is in response to the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

In that decision, the court ruled that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting corporations, unions and individuals from donating unlimited funds to Super Political Action Committees (PACs) that do not donate directly to candidates or political parties.

4 PERCENT TAX HIKE ON MILLIONAIRES - Proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow a graduated income tax in Massachusetts and impose an additional 4 percent income tax, in addition to the current flat 5.10 percent tax, on taxpayers’ earnings of more than $1 million.

REPEAL TRANSGENDER RIGHTS - Repeals the new law that prohibits discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations by adding "gender identity" to existing Massachusetts law which already prohibits discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, religion and marital status.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK'S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature's job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of December 25-29, the House and Senate both met for a total of four hours and 43 minutes.

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